1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the mettlesome opening dance number got the audience all jazzed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mettlesome
He may have been provoked into battle by the ruler of Cebu, who was using Magellan’s troops to rid himself of a mettlesome chieftain known to raid the trade ships that navigated the waters in and around the islands.
—
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
Adjective
-
The energy rises as the wrestler and the rapper take energetic strides and bounce to the ring.—
Shaheem Reid,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Our sun cycles through its pattern of energetic activity every 11 years, but the technology scientists use to observe is advancing at a faster pace.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Trippie Redd, one of the genre’s most prominent voices, took to social media on Monday (April 28) to issue a fiery response.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
She is replaced by Córdoba's bold, fiery Ana, an aspiring journalist unafraid to speak her mind and an accomplished student who has already been accepted to Columbia on a full ride — so what's holding her back?—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Looney Tunes film, featuring Forte and John Cena opposite an animated Wile E. Coyote, became the most talked about movie in Hollywood in late 2023 when The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Warner Bros. intended to scrap the movie as part of a $115 million writedown.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Fox’s rollout includes return dates for animated series like Bob’s Burgers and Family Guy, as well as premieres for reality programs including MasterChef (returning for a 15th season dubbed Dynamic Duos) and unscripted newbie The Snake, hosted by comedian Jim Jefferies.—
Rebecca Luther,
TVLine,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There were spirited speeches on Thursday at the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee hearing, where his ordinance passed unanimously.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Today, the Boykin spaniel is celebrated as South Carolina's official state dog—loved for its loyalty, intelligence, and spirited nature—as Clemmy's joyful antics clearly show.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His crossword is not themed, but the entry is lively nonetheless.—
Deb Amlen,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Located right on the bustling Piazza delle Erbe, Verona’s liveliest piazza built atop the ancient Roman Capitolium, this museum gives new life to a majestic 17th-century palazzo.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The other central characters fare better, especially Gotay’s moving Homer and Miller’s spunky scribe, but also McAlpine and Mark Kudisch as Floyd’s dad.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Hummingbirds are a fan favorite of avid bird watchers due to their spunky personalities and impressive flying tricks (flying upside-down and backward!).—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Users do have creative freedom — freedom to learn to draw, animate, write, score, or direct their own projects.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Charcuterie and cheese, potatoes and onions, meat and offal: These are the ingredients that animate Harris’s chalkboard menu, all old friends, treated with a grandmotherly mix of tenderness and brawn.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Leaders who are passionate about their work inspire their teams to share that enthusiasm.—
Edward DeAngelis,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Barman is passionate about removing friction in the DIY process.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share